Shazia
Spring 2025

Much of Shazia’s inspiration stems from her childhood recollections. Whether reflecting on fond memories or dreams, she paints each figure with distinct qualities to create deeply emotive portraits. Each figure she paints possesses a palpable presence suggesting a deeper story lies beneath the canvas.

With an acute awareness of subtle details in both appearance and personality, Shazia instils the very essence of a person into each of her paintings. The unfaltering gaze of her characters has an almost haunting quality, locking eyes with the viewer and drawing them into their world.

Shazia’s gift for storytelling allows her to paint children with immense character. She recreates the characters with an ethereal quality that captures the viewer’s imagination. Although Shazia paints people from her personal experiences, she understands that the paintings take on new meaning when shared with the viewer.

Featured Art: 'Mabel & Maude'. Hand-signed Giclée on Canvas Board Limited Edition by Shazia.

The signature luminosity of Shazia’s almost dreamlike aesthetic is achieved through the ancient egg tempera technique – a painting method that dates back to the Ancient Egyptians. Created by mixing egg yolks with powdered pigments and a little water, she creates a medium renowned for its durability, luminosity and beautiful glowing quality. More durable than oil paint, the transparent nature of egg tempera offers it a radiance akin to watercolour.

Drawing inspiration from Renaissance masters and employing chiaroscuro - the dramatic interplay of light and dark – Shazia ensures that the central figure remains the focal point, their expression infused with mystery and depth. Her work often features her signature vibrant figures set against moody, shadowed backgrounds.

“I definitely think there’s a Renaissance influence in my work, with the dark background like Dutch paintings.”

Shazia’s April 2025 collection is a testament to the enduring power of memory, artistry, and human connection. It is an invitation to step into a world where the past and present merge in a symphony of light and shadow.

Featured Art: 'Ida'. Hand-signed Giclée on Canvas Board Limited Edition by Shazia.